I really need some help with new wardrobe - really struggling

[Dan1980]

If I go someplace classy, I’ll wear a blazer/sport coat. If I go to a regular pub or bar, then a leather jacket.

Classy does not describe any place i am likely to visit. It certainly does not describe the bars I was in Friday night.

 

[BudFox92]

You sound like Cal from Crazy, Stupid, Love

Perhaps watching that film will bring you to life

 

[Chouan]

I wear jeans and a jacket, tweed in colder weather, barbour if it is wet, linen or cotton in warm weather, all with jeans, if I go to a pub, and the pubs that I frequent I wouldn't describe as classy!
Examples: http://theshipsoham.co.uk/ https://georgeanddragonsnailwell.co.uk/
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attra...on_Arms-Cambridge_Cambridgeshire_England.html
https://www.freepresskitchen.co.uk/
http://theelmtreecambridge.co.uk/
http://cambridge.pub/the-blue/

 

[Dan1980]

are you joking? compare cambridgeshire to dudley west midlands and see what the difference is.

 

[Northern_Style28]

Ah man, my guess was Wolverhampton or Walsall!

 

[Chouan]

I must admit to never having visited Dudley, but although I live in Cambs, and so visit Cambridgeshire pubs, I am from County Durham, and I would and do dress the same way in a pub in Middlesbrough, or Redcar, or Hartlepool, or anywhere else!

 

[Veremund]

are you joking? compare cambridgeshire to dudley west midlands and see what the difference is.

Dudley! Oh what a small world! What say we stop in the Portway in Kingswinford for a pint of Banks's, my favourite tipple. And definitely no blazers for the Black Country! Oh my, I'm getting nostalgic.

 

[Veremund]

Or the Crooked House! Another love of mine!

 

[jaxenro]

How bad can any part of England be. I just lived for two years in WV where it was common to see a deer or even a bear strapped to the hood of a car at the supermarket as the hunter was showing it off, the convenience store sold ammo (ok that one was convenient), the favorite color is camo, most of the older men didn’t trust that indoor plumbing thing, and quite a few neighbors didn’t stop in for a beer but drank moonshine out of old canning jars or milk jugs.

And to be completely truthful my neighbor was called Bubba, his brother was Cracker, and the guy that drove the ambulance father was also his grandfather. I am a bit of a redneck st heart but two years was all we could take

 

[cellphoneguy81]

Hi guys. Yeah a couple things to report.

First the blazer. I wore it the other night and felt very overdressed compared to everyone else. I just dont know if there will be many situations I find myself in that will require that kind of formality. It is completely at odds with what everyone else is wearing, ripped jeans and a shirt or even a t shirt basically.

The shoes I am happy with. I have also bought some dark brown chelsea boots and a darker belt.

The oxford shirts i have an issue with. Because they are a thicker material they seem not to fit well on me. They stick out in some places / dont hang right. They dont tuck in my jeans well and dont sit right under a jumper.

Thats it for now. Overall I woud say partial success at the moment but need some less formal but still nice looking items.

Dan,

I know nothing of any of the towns you guys are talking about. However, here are my own guidelines which I think are fairly universal:

1) I always try to be the best dressed person in the room, without being overdressed

2) However, it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed

3) Most guys don’t know about or care what you’re wearing, so don’t dress for them

4) Even as a well dressed person, less people (especially men) are looking at you then you think

5) Fit is more important than what your wearing in most cases (you can look better in jeans and an Oxford than a man in an ill fitting suit)

P.S. Glad you got some Chelsea boots and a darker belt. Oxford shirts under jumpers are an art - but you will get used to the material.

 

[noob in 89]

1) I always try to be the best dressed person in the room, without being overdressed

Yeah, I think it it would help the OP to focus on the basics — learning what fits well — without stressing over formality or confusing being well-dressed with ‘dressing up’. (You can still be dressed up, but look awful — or be wearing the right jeans, boots and T-shirt, and look better than everyone else).

I pretty much wear blazers everywhere now (super-casual blazers), but seldom get asked by strangers why I’m dressed up anymore. There was definitely a learning curve.

 

[jaxenro]

I pretty much wear blazers everywhere now (super-casual blazers), but seldom get asked by strangers why I’m dressed up anymore. There was definitely a learning curve.

I have found most people are too busy with their own lives to worry about mine. I almost never leave the house without a blazer or sports coat either I would feel undressed

 

[cellphoneguy81]

Dan, you alive and well (dressed)?

 

[Dan1980]

Dan, you alive and well (dressed)?

Hi, yeah still here lol.

Not been out for a few weeks so no more new stuff yet. However I am out tomorrow night with friends, to a casual pub, so thinking of buying a new item I can wear for it.

I have the dark brown chelsea boots, dark blue jeans and white shirt, so really i need something to go over the shirt (not a blazer this time). any ideas?

 

[cellphoneguy81]

Hi, yeah still here lol.

Not been out for a few weeks so no more new stuff yet. However I am out tomorrow night with friends, to a casual pub, so thinking of buying a new item I can wear for it.

I have the dark brown chelsea boots, dark blue jeans and white shirt, so really i need something to go over the shirt (not a blazer this time). any ideas?

I guess that depends on the temperature where you are right now. A jumper, a cardigan or a light informal jacket could work. Or both if it’s really cold.

See pictures above.